Personal Branding is More than Social Media: Why Personal Interactions Still Matter

Remember back in the day before the world wide web?

You couldn't hide behind pretty (filtered) pictures and curated content.

Your reputation was literally built on your real life interactions with other people.

That was how you built your personal brand.

But now, when it comes to personal branding, most people primarily focus on social media.

Content

Photoshoots

Brand Colors

Logos

And while it’s no secret that social media can be a powerful tool for building your brand in today's world, it's important to remember that your personal interactions still matter just as much – if not more.

Your personal brand is defined by how others perceive you, and it's a compilation of your actions, behaviors, and communication. In essence, every interaction you have with others, whether in person or online, contributes to your personal brand.

What people tend to lose sight of is that personal branding online should be a reflection of your real world experiences.

At its core, your personal brand is the essence of who you are (read my article on how personal branding starts with a strong sense of self) so creating content for online consumption is about amplifying and bringing awareness to these real world experiences.

But with the rise of AI, the internet will become rampant with deep fakes very soon (if not already) and it will be more and more difficult to distinguish what (or who) is real.

There is currently an app that can take a picture of you and make it look like you are talking on video by simply plugging in a script. I know...the implications are #scaryAF

But it's much harder to fool someone when they are standing right in front of you living and breathing. Hence, trust and credibility are formed much faster and more powerfully in real interactions.

I recently attended a women's event in my local community – something I hadn’t done in several years. From the pandemic to my busy #twinmomlife I didn’t even realize how much adult social interaction I was lacking.

Admittedly, I was nervous to go as it was the first time I was going to introduce myself to strangers in person in a long time. Once I got there and started mingling, I found that people were receptive to the work I do now and I gained validation from the ladies I spoke with that how I approach personal branding is much needed.

I connected with a new dentist, met a woman who wrote a book on gratitude (a topic that is near and dear to my heart), and reconnected with the event host whom I had met years ago – she actually still remembered me ??.

All these personal interactions were invaluable for building my personal brand and expanding my network in the real world. As an added bonus, I gained more confidence and it set the stage in my mind for the next local in-person event I attend.

The fact is, personal interactions rooted in authentic relationships build trust rather quickly, which is a key component of building a strong personal brand. There is something special about being able to look someone in the eye, read their body language and tap into other nuances that you simply cannot over a screen.

You never know where your next opportunity will come from. You can potentially meet a new client at the grocery store if you’re the talkative type.

But if you don't want to bother folks buying their overpriced eggs, here are 5 strategic places where you can interact with potential customers, clients, colleagues, and partners in real life:

Networking events

Attend networking events in your local community or industry. These events are a great opportunity to meet new people and expand your network. I will never forget early on in my resume writing journey I met a woman who hired me for her son who had just graduated college. Over the years she hired me herself multiple times and she has referred me for speaking engagements.

Conferences and/or trade shows

Go to conferences and trade shows in your industry to connect with others and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and innovations. Bonus points if you can speak at an industry event. Trust me, this is particularly effective if you are looking to become a thought leader in your industry.

Volunteer opportunities

Volunteering for a cause you believe in is a great way to meet like-minded people and build relationships. I have definitely gotten a few clients over the years from volunteering.

Professional associations

Join a professional association in your industry to connect with others and stay informed about industry news and events. This can present itself with powerful collaboration opportunities or you may become a mentor or mentee to those who are following a similar path. Bonus points if you volunteer in a leadership role for a professional association…instant credibility.

Social activities

Participating in social events such as sports leagues, book clubs, or cooking classes, can also be a great way to meet new people and build your personal brand. Just be yourself and chat it up.

While interacting with others in the real world, be present. Put your phone down and really listen to the other person. Engage in the conversation and be inquisitive to learn more about them. Be intentional with your conversation; think about what you want to achieve with each interaction. What impression do you want to leave? What opportunities do you want to create?

My clients create a VCR? self-marketing plan for their 90-day visibility campaign that centers around creating value, staying consistent, and building relationships both online as well as in person.

Why?

Because new career opportunities, partnerships, consulting contracts, speaking gigs – they all come from people hiring other people they trust. And what better way to connect with real people than in the real world?

Then, once you establish the relationship, you can then leverage your online presence to reinforce your credibility and continually build trust through social media.

So, prioritize relationships and watch success unfold.

Happy Self-Marketing!

-------------------------------------

If you are a high-performing executive woman of color looking for support as you build your personal brand, Empowered Presence? was created with you in mind. Learn more and book a free consultation at: chatwithmel.com.

Ready to go from Invisible to Influential, get instant access to the free virtual workshop here: Invisible to Influential Workshop

Melanie L. Denny is a personal branding consultant, self-marketing expert, certified LinkedIn strategist, and founder of the Empowered Presence? framework designed for brilliant women of color to gain visibility and capitalize on new opportunities beyond the 9-5 through the power of personal branding.

Melanie has been featured in Forbes, Huffpost, Yahoo News, Fast Company, NBC News and countless podcasts sharing self-marketing tips and tricks. She has been invited to speak to national organizations and non-profits across the world on career topics including LinkedIn, personal branding, networking, and career empowerment.